Tag Archives: Amanda Palmer

Musician Activism: Amanda Palmer And The Art of Asking

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

Yes, Amanda Palmer you’re right! We musicians need to know the art of asking. It’s our job to ask questions. Without questions no communication…no “real” life! Ignorance would take over business in life which would lead to life’s death.

Amanda is a good example of how a musician “can make it in music business.” She proved and still proves that a musician with common sense, knowledge (of music business), courage (to break rules and not to listen to people who want to stop you to do your “thing”), passion (for your music) and being a leader (who has the ability to listen to people and motivating them to collaborate with her), can achieve the impossible and become successful.

What has worked for her out doesn’t mean that it would work for any musician. But in order to achieve financial and artistic success you need all the characteristics she has. How to use them is your cup of tea.

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Kickstarter, Pledgemusic…are fan-funding platforms the patrons of today’s music?

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

This is really unbelievable: former Dresden Doll’s Amanda Palmer just set a record for raising funds for recording, promotion, tour support, and an accompanying art book in Kickstarter. She asked her fans for $100.000 but achieved over a million dollars! Congrats! Wish I could do the same thing.

But to achieve this success  “You have to have fans before you can ask them to help you,” as Palmer herself has said. I heard from a friend, who knows her well, that Palmer is everyday in touch with her fans by twitting, facebooking, etc..  She has worked very hard to build up a devoted and engaged fan base which isn’t an easy thing to do. You have to love in what you’re doing and share it with your family, friends and fans. It means also that you have to believe in yourself and be very disciplined in your music life. I think Palmer’s success is certainly good news for independent musicians who play music for people and want to be a postive force in society.

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